The contest, sponsored by IBM, challenges students to solve real-world problems using open technology and advanced computing methods under a grueling five-hour deadline. It draws tens of thousands of students on 7,100 teams from universities in about 90 countries.

This year's competition, which is known as the Battle of the Brains, is just heating up, with a series of regional contests testing the skills of student computer programmers from universities around the world. Finalists will attend the World Finals of the contest, taking place in February 2010 in Harbin in Northeast China and hosted by Harbin Engineering University.

"The world faces many daunting problems such as pandemic diseases, climate change, water pollution, food safety, finite energy resources, as well as issues with urban management and mass transportation," said Doug Heintzman, director of strategy for IBM Software Group and sponsorship executive of the ICPC. "At IBM we believe we have a responsibility to help develop the next generation of technology leaders, help them to understand and tackle these complex business issues."

"The ACM-ICPC affords students the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain exposure among top recruiters," said Bill Poucher, ICPC Executive Director and Baylor University professor. Baylor hosts the competition's website. "The contest is also a forum for advancing technology in an effort to better accommodate the growing needs of the future, as expressed in IBM's Smarter Planet initiative. At the same time, the competition is a chance for students of similar interests to exchange ideas and peer educate."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at dian@dischaffhauser.com or on Twitter @schaffhauser.